First Nations Case Worker (Identified Position)

About Our Organisation:

Youth Off The Streets is a not-for-profit youth organisation that provides safety, support and opportunities for young people to build a positive future. We offer crisis accommodation and housing services, alternative high school education, alcohol and other drugs counselling, youth justice support, life skills and employment programs, cultural support and community engagement, among other services. We focus on early interventions that empower young people and strengthen communities.

Our Cultural Support team works with all areas of YOTS to ensure the rights and needs of staff, young people and communities from diverse cultural backgrounds are reflected in all of our services and programs.

The Role:

• The main function of the role is to undertake case management activities with clients presenting with varying degrees of complexity of needs, usually low to medium complexity and requiring shorter term responses. The role requires medium level effort to coordinate services and source solutions that meet the client’s needs over a short period of time (3-9 months). 
• The key to the role is the ability to understand and follow the needs complexity matrix and service guidelines in order to determine the type of response required to meet the needs. The Case Worker will be able to translate these needs into case plans that provide timely solutions creating stability and assisting clients in making informed decisions. The Case Worker will implement support approaches are culturally appropriate and promote the client’s empowerment, autonomy, dignity and independence.    

Key Responsibilities:

• Maintain program caseloads within negotiated timeframes.  
• Follow clients’ needs assessment process and matrix to identify client needs and assist in setting goals and objectives that form their case plan. 
• Link clients to services that meet their needs. 
• Provide information, advice and referral to clients. 
• Accurate data capturing utilising assigned data collection systems.  
• Develop and deliver group programs and initiatives that will encourage clients to meet their goals and connect with peers. 
• Maintain and prepare reports on casework statistics and outcomes.  
• Develop and maintain relationships with local interagency and referral and support networks, including government, services, business and community.  
• Work with Team Leader on promoting our service to set up inbound and outbound referral pathways. 
• Promote youth consultation and participation in internal and external meetings and forums. Contribute to the development of the program, including casework resources. 
• Professionally representation of the services when dealing with service users and other stakeholders. 
• Commitment to completion of annual mandatory training modules  
• Exercise due diligence to prevent young people being exposed to harm 
• Work in collaboration with team leader to review and evaluate activities and performance to ensure continuous improvement. Work with the team leader to determine referral of clients with complex needs to specialised intensive case management.  
• Work in collaboration with youth workers and Case Workers and caseworkers undertaking intensive case management. 

Skills and Abilities:

• Identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander 
• Experiencing working in health, education, mental health, SEWB, counselling or social services 
• Demonstrated experience and sound knowledge of case management theory, best practice principles, and case coordination 
• Ability to utilise referral pathways; apply trauma- and developmentally-informed and strengths based approaches; and to achieve client outcomes 
• Capacity to work respectfully and effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people of diverse cultural backgrounds 
• Solid communication skills, including written and verbal presentation skills, diplomatic and effective liaison and interpersonal skills
• Ability to collect, document, evaluate and provide detailed reports on tasks, service delivery and outcomes 
• Planning, organisational and superior time management skills 
• Ability to work flexible hours and work afterhours in assertive community outreach as required 
• Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the principles that underpin a child safe organisation including mandatory child protection procedures 
• Have an understanding of adolescent development 
• Strong negotiation, conflict resolution, and communication skills. Ability to build relationships and act with sensitivity and understanding. 
• Ability to understand issues faced by clients and their families, as well as ways to assist with these issues. 
• Ability to apply therapeutic crisis intervention principles in crisis situations. 
• Demonstrated ability to advocate on behalf of the Young People to their family and mainstream services 
• Ability to manage a case load, in conjunction with following program guidelines and local referral pathways 
• Commitment to continual professional development 
• Strong understanding of the legislation relevant for the role i.e.: Child Safe principles, policies and responsibilities 
• Awareness of risk factors associated with abuse and neglect

Requirements:

Qualification & Experience

• Diploma or working towards a certificate 4, in areas related to AOD, SEWB, mental health or social work, and/or 
• At least 2 year’s experience providing client support services and willingness to complete formal studying/training 
• Proof of Aboriginality (This is an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Identified position.  The applicant’s race is a genuine occupational qualification for this role and is authorised under Section 14(d) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977, NSW) 
• At least 1 years’ experience in case management of Young People 

What we can offer you:

• Flexible working arrangements
• A supportive team environment
• Career progression and development pathways
• EAP for yourself and your family
• Salary packaging up to $15,900
• Rewards and benefits program

To Apply 

Please ensure you enclose a copy of your resume with your contact details and cover letter addressing the essential criteria (2 pages maximum). 

At Youth Off The Streets, diversity, equity and inclusion are part of our DNA. Together, we continue to build an inclusive culture that encourages, supports, and celebrates the diverse voices of our people. It fuels our innovation and connects us closer to our customers and the communities we serve.

Youth off The Streets is an EEO Employer and a child safe organisation. YOTS is committed to providing a safe environment where all children and young people are treated with respect and are protected from harm. We have zero tolerance for child abuse.

This is a rare opportunity to join a passionate and high profile not for profit organisation that values the current youth of today and the youth of tomorrow.

The successful candidate will be requested to submit applications for a NSW Working With Children Check and Police Check. You will also be required to have a valid Australian Drivers Licence and unrestricted Australian working rights.

We encourage people who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander to apply for this position.